iLEAD Cohort 1: Year-long Leadership Development Program Concludes in Fayetteville

by Lisa Davis - June 21, 2022

From cotton fields in northeast Arkansas to the Food Innovation Center in northwest Arkansas, from rice research in southeast Arkansas to the ExCEL program in central Arkansas, members of iLEAD Cohort I traveled the state to experience first-hand the research and extension programs offered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

The final face-to-face seminar was held June 16-17, 2022, in Fayetteville. The cohort visited several sites including Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, Poultry Science Center of Excellence, Animal Entomology and Plant Pathology, Food Science, and the Agricultural Experiment Station. The Washington County Extension office team shared information and their programs.

The year-long leadership development program for Agriculture Experiment Station (AES) and Cooperative Extension Service (CES) employees culminated with a graduation ceremony featuring details about the leadership service projects implemented by participants. Here is a list of graduates and project topics:

• Jamie Baum, associate professor, Identifying Food, Nutrition, and Health Misinformation in the Digital Age
• Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County extension agent-staff chair, 4-H Teen Star Leadership Program
• Leigh Ann Bullington, family and consumer sciences educator, Video Series
• Amy Cole, digital media program manager, Division Volunteers Website
• Sarah David, SNAP-Ed finance manager/program associate, SNAP-Ed Virtual Orientation Training
• Eric De Vries, 4-H Arkansas Outdoor School program coordinator, Leave-No-Trace Interactive Hiking Trail
• Kristen Gibson, associate professor, Food Science Department Bulletin Weekly Update
• Fionna Goggin, professor, Development of a Departmental STEM Mentoring Pipeline
• Mary Beth Groce, family and consumer sciences agent, Cooperative Extension Yearbook
• Kristin Higgins, Public Policy Center program associate, Jail Reentry Simulation
• Chris Meux, design specialist, Division Logos and Standards of Use Website
• Keith Perkins, Lonoke County extension agent-staff chair, Fishing Rock Restoration
• Laura Anne Warren, SNAP-Ed county extension agent, Online Apparel Storefront

The next iLEAD cohort is scheduled to begin their year-long odyssey in July. To learn more about the iLEAD program contact Julie Robinson, jrobinson@uada.edu or Lisa Davis, ldavis@uada.edu.